Battery
Diagnostic Flow

Vehicle
parasitic current inspection
1. |
Turn the all electric devices OFF, and then
turn the ignition switch OFF. |
2. |
Close all doors except the engine hood, and
then lock all doors.
(1) |
Disconnect the hood switch
connector. |
(3) |
Close the doors or remove the door
switches. | |
3. |
Wait a few minutes until the vehicle’s
electrical systems go to sleep mode.
For an accurate measurement of a
vehicle parasitic current, all electriacl systems should go to
sleep mode. (It takes at least one hour or at most one day.)
However, an approximate vehicle parasitic current can be
measured after 10~20
minutes. | |
4. |
Connect an ammeter in series between the
battery (-) terminal and the ground cable, and then disconnect the
clamp from the battery (-) terminal slowly.
Be careful that the lead wires of an
ammeter do not come off from the battery (-) terminal and the
ground cable to prevent the battery from being reset. In case
the battery is reset, connect the battery cable again, and
then start the engine or turn the ignition switch ON for more
than 10 sec. Repeat the procedure from No. 1.
To prevent the battery from being
reset during the inspection,
1) |
Connect a jump cable between the
battery (-) terminal and the ground
cable. |
2) |
Disconnect the ground cable from
the battery (-) terminal.
|
3) |
Connect an ammeter between the
battery (-) terminal and the ground
cable. |
4) |
After disconnecting the jump
cable, read the current value of the ammeter.
| |

|
5. |
Read the current value of the ammeter.
A. |
If the parasitic current is over the
limit value, search for abnormal circuit by removing a fuse
one by one and checking the parasitic current.
|
B. |
Check the parasitic current again, and
search for suspected unit by removing a unit connected with
the abnormal circuit one by one.
|
Limit value
(after 10~20 min.) : Below 50mA
| |
1. |
Make sure the ignition switch and all
accessories are in the OFF
position. |
2. |
Disconnect the battery cables (negative
first). |
3. |
Remove the battery from the
vehicle.
Care should be taken in the event the
battery case is cracked or leaking, to protect your skin from
the electrolyte.
Heavy rubber gloves (not the household
type) should be wore when removing the
battery. |

|
4. |
Inspect the battery tray for damage caused
by the loss of electrolyte. If acid damage is present, it will be
necessary to clean the area with a solution of clean warm water and
baking soda. Scrub the area with a stiff brush and wipe off with a
cloth moistened with baking soda and
water. |
5. |
Clean the top of the battery with the same
solution as described above. |
6. |
Inspect the battery case and cover for
cracks. If cracks are present, the battery must be
replaced. |
7. |
Clean the battery posts with a suitable
battery post tool. |
8. |
Clean the inside surface of the terminal
clamps with a suitable battery cleaning tool. Replace damaged or
frayed cables and broken terminal
clamps. |
9. |
Install the battery in the
vehicle. |
10. |
Connect the cable terminals to the battery
post, making sure tops of the terminals are flush with the tops of
the posts. |
11. |
Tighten the terminal nuts
securely. |
12. |
Coat all connections with light mineral
grease after tightening.
When batteries are being charged, an
explosive gas forms beneath the cover of each cell. Do not
smoke near batteries being charged or which have recently been
charged. Do not break live circuit at the terminals of
batteries being charged.
A spark will occur when the circuit is
broken. Keep open flames away form
battery. |

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